Automatic disinfecting device



Nov. 21, 1939. I STRQBEL 2.180367 AUTOMATIC DISINFECTJ ZNG DEVICE Filed March 10, 1939 4 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 w l z 27 3' Z 36 I Z 42 I 1 v 72 8 58: Z

INVENTOR M1400! Sir-023s! ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1939.

M STROBEL 2,180,967

AUTOMATIC DISINFECTING DEVICE Filed March 10, 1939 2 Sheei-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

Still further the invention contemplates the use of a fan within the body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, and a transmission speed up system for driving said fan, operative by the movement of the door previously mentioned.

Another object of the invention resides in so controlling the disinfected air discharge that it may be sprayed upon articles such as a telephone, or it may be directed in a general desirable direction.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a telephone booth with an automatic disinfectant device mounted thereon in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 taken immediately behind the front wall of the hollow body of the disinfectant device.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 but illustrating a modified form of the invention.

The automatic disinfecting device, according 50 to this invention, may be used in a telephone booth, toilet, nursery or other compartment or space. As illustrated in Fig. 1, it is shown applied to a telephone booth l having a closeable door II. The automatic disinfecting device includes a hollow body having an inlet I3 and a controlled air discharge l4. A means is provided for chemically treating the air entering the inlet. This means includes a porous cake of chemical material 15 or other'similar substance. In Fig. 6

a modified form of the chemical is shown characterized by the addition of a sponge l6 or other moisture retaining element arranged adjacent to the chemical I5.

The chemical material I5 is supported by an annular member l1 which is engaged upon a pair 10 of spaced flanges l8. These flanges are arranged transversely of the inlet I3. The inlet l3 extends through a side wall Ill of the telephone booth so as to connect with the atmosphere outside of the booth. The annular member I1 is held in position on the flanges l8 by several leaf springs l9. These leaf springs are welded or in any other mannersecured at their inner ends l9 to the material of the flanges I 8 and their outer ends resiliently extend upwards and engage against the sides of the annular member l1. However, this annular member may be shifted laterally in one direction or the other, as for example, indicated by the dot and dash lines l1 in Fig. 3. This exposes the chemical material I 5 and also the sponge when used. This permits these materials to be changed or replaced when required. The hollow body I3 is supported by several brackets 2| to one of the walls of the telephone booth iii.

A fan 22 is rotatively supported within the body 10 by a shaft 23 engaging in bearings 24 and 25. This fan 22 is arranged transversely of a tubular member 26 which engages over the inlet l3. The parts are so arranged that the fan 22 is capable 35 of drawing air from the inlet l3 and discharging it into the interior of the body l2. A transmission system is provided for driving the fan and this system includes a driver pinion 21 and a ratchet 28 operative in one direction only.

More specifically, the transmission system comprises a pinion 29 fixed on the shaft 23 and meshing .with a gear 30 fixed upon a rotatively supported shaft 3|. This shaft 3| is provided with a pinion 32 meshing with a gear 33 freely sup- 45 ported upon a shaft 34. The ratchet wheel 28 of the ratchet is, fixed upon the shaft 34 while the pawl 28 of the ratchet is mounted upon the gear 33 and resiliently urged against the teeth of the ratchet wheel by a spring 35 also mounted 50 upon the gear 33. The pinion 21 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 34.

A cylinder 36 extends through one side of the body I2. A rack 31 is slidably supported and meshes with the pinion 21 and is connected with 66 a piston 38 slidable in the inner end of the cylindex 31.. A compression spring 39 is housed within thecylinder 36 and engages the piston 38 and its inner end is connected .with the piston. Another piston 40 is slidably engaged in the outer end of the cylinder 36 and engages against and is connected with the outer end of the compression spring 39.

I A relatively weak spring 4| is arranged coaxially on the rackf31' and acts against the piston 38 and a transverse bar 42 mounted across the inner end of the cylinder 36 and serves to normally urge the piston 38 outwards.

A means is provided for connecting the door 12 with the piston'40 for compressing the spring 39 when the door is closed and for freeing the spring 39 when the door is opened. This means includes a lever 43 which is hingedly connected at its inner end upon a bracket 44 mounted on the door It. The outer end of the lever 43 pivotally connects with a piston rod 45 connected with the piston 40. I

A means is provided for modulating the speed of the inward motion of the rack 31 under the pressure of the compression spring 39. This modulating means includes a piston 46 which is fixedly mounted on the rack 31 and which is slidable within a cylinder 41. The piston 46 is provided with peripheral rings 48 to form an air tight joint in conjunction with the inner surface of the cylinder 41'. A one way valve 49 is mounted upon the outer end of the cylinder 41 is adapted to admit air into the cylinder 41 and prevent the escape of air from the cylinder. A needle controlled valve 50 is also mounted on the cylinder 41 and controls the escape of air from the cylinder. The inner end of the cylinder 41 is formed with several openings to Permit the passage of air. The construction permits a rapid outward motion of the rack 31.

The controlled discharge l4 connects with a telescopic pipe 52 formed from a plurality of inter-engaged sections which may be collapsed to the condition illustrated in full lines in Figs. 3 and 5. These sections may be pulled and extended as indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 3. These telescopic sections are formed from flexible material so that they may be directed in various directions. A disc 53 is coaxially pivotally mounted upon the outer one of the telescopic tubes 52 and is formed with a plurality of perforations 54. This disc 53 is encased by a stationary perforated casing 55. A handle 56 is mounted upon the disc 53 and projects from an arcuate slot 51 in'the casing 55. The arrangement is such that in one position of the handle 56 the perforations 54 are aligned with the perforations 54 of the casing 55, and in another position the perforations are out of alignment so that air cannot pass.

A lock 51 is mounted upon the door H and is cooperative with a keeper 58 mounted upon the door jamb so that the door H may be held in its closed position.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When one enters the telephone booth II he closes the door and locks the door closed with the lock 51. When the door is closed the lever 53 will move the piston rod 45 inwards. This moves the piston 40 inwards and the spring 39 is compressed. The inner end of the spring now exerts a pressure against the piston 38 which is connected with the rack 31. The dashpot 46, 41, etc. modulates the rate at. which the rod 31 may one inch per minute. Thetotal stroke of the rod 31 may be eight inches and consequently the rod may move during an eight minute period. The motion of the rod 31 is stepped up by the step up transmission which drives the fan 22 which can revolve about 1,000 R. P. M. The fan draws in air from the inlet l3 and this air is purified by passing through the porous chemical I5 and if desired, through the wetted sponge l6. The air is then blown by thefan 22 out from the discharge l4 and out from the perforations 54 and 54'. These perforations direct the air in a general direction. If desired the handle 56 may be closed to cut off the discharge of air through the perforations 54 and 54. All the air then discharges through the discharge [4 and the telescopic tube 52. This tube may be extended and the disinfected air directed against parts of the telephone or in other desirable directions.

When the door II is opened the piston 40, spring 39 and piston 38 will immediately return to their original positions.

It is to be understood that the casing and the various parts may be made of any desired material, and the device may be secured in place at any suitable height or location of the enclosure where it is used to automatically disinfect the air or any object.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door, a hollow body having an airinlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan and including a'driver pinion and ratchet to be operative in one direction only, a cylinder extending through said body, a rack meshing with said pinion andconnected with a piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder, acompression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston, a piston slidable in the outer end of said cylinder and connected with the outer end of said compression spring, means connecting said door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the door is closed and freeing said spring when the door'is opened, and means for modulating the speed of inward motion of said rack under the pressure of said compression spring.

' 2. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door, a hollow body having an air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan and including a driver pinion and ratchet to be operative in one direction only, a cylinder extending through said body, a rack meshing with said pinion and connected with a piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder, a compression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston, a piston connected with the .outer end of said compression spring, means connecting said door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the door is closed and freeing said spring when the door is opened, and means for modulating the speed of inward motion of said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, said controlled air discharge including a telescopicfiexible tube adapted to be extended and directed in various directions.

3. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door, a hollow body having an air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan and including a driver pinion and ratchet to be operative in one direction only, a cylinder extending through said body, a rack meshing with said pinion and connected with a piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder, a compression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston, a piston slidable in the outer end of said cylinder and connected with the outer end of said compression spring, means connecting said door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the door is closed and freeing said spring when the door is opened, and means for modulating the speed of inward motion of said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, said controlled air discharge including a telescopic flexible tube adapted to be extended and directed in various directions, and a perforated disc rotative about said tube within a perforated casing, and means for turning said disc to align said perforations or to disalign them.

4. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door, a hollow body having an air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan and including a driver pinion and ratchet to be operative in one direction only, a cylinder extending through said body. a rack meshing with said pinion and connected with a piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder, a compression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston. a piston slidable in the outer end of said cylinder and connected with the outer end of said compression spring, means connecting said door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the door is closed and freeing said spring when the door is opened, and means for modulating the speed of inward motion of said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, said means for chemically treating the air including porous chemical material and means for ho ding said material in the passage of the air.

5. In combinat on with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door. a hollow body havingan air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said inlet. a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from sa d discharge. a transmission speed sten u system for driving said fan and ncluding a driver pinion and ratchet to be operative in one dir ction on y. a cylinder extendin through said bo ive a rack mesh ng with said pinion and connected with a piston slidable in the innerend of said cylinder, a-compression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston, a piston slidable in the outer end of said cylinder and connected with the outer end of said compression spring, means connecting said door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the'door is closed and freeing said spring when the door is opened, and means for modulating the speed oi inward motion of said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, said means for chemimaterial and means for holding said material in the passage of the air, and a chemical-sponge adapted to be held adjacent said chemical material.

6. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door, a hollow body having an air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said'inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan.,and including a driver pinion and ratchet to be operative. in one direction only, a cylinder extending through said body, a rack meshing with said pinion and connected with a piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder, a compression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston, a piston slidable in the outer end of said cylinder and connected with the outer end of said compression spring, means connecting said door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the door is closed and freeing said spring when the door is opened, and means for modulating the speed of inward motion of said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, said means'for connecting the piston and door comprising a lever .hingedly connected with the door and pivotally connected with a piston rod connected with said piston.

, cally treating the air including porous chemical 7. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door, a hollow body having an air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air entering said inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forcing it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan and including a driver pinionand ratchet to be operative in one direction only, a cylinder extending through said body, a rack meshing with said pinion and connected with a piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder, a compression spring within said cylinder and connected with said piston, a piston slidable in the outer end of said cylinder and connected with the outer end of said compression spring, means connectingsaid door and latter piston for compressing said spring when the door is closed and freeing said spring when the door is opened, and means for modu ating the speed of inward motionof said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, comprising a dashpot connected with said rack.

8. In combination with an enclosed space accessible through a closable door. a hollow body having an air inlet and a controlled air discharge, means for chemically treating the air'entering said inlet, a fan within said body for drawing air through said inlet and forc ng it from said discharge, a transmission speed step up system for driving said fan and including a driver pinion piston slidable in the inner end of said cylinder,

means for modulating the speed oi' inward motionoi said rack under the pressure of said compression spring, comprising a dashpot connected with said rack, and including a piston working in an air cylinder, a one way valve for permitting the'transmission of air into the cylinder, and a needle valve for controlling the escape 01' air from the cylinder.

' MARGOT STROBEL. 

